Signature transfer mechanism



Feb. 7, W67 R. P. MOFFET 7 5 SIGNATURE TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed Dec. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i in have ntor Robert P; Q'FFe Fh 39%? R. P. MQFFET 33%,539

SIGNATURE TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed Dec. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i c LU TC u a2 BRAKE 69 @901 A55 EMBL-Y i l i t;

8o lnventaw United States Patent 3,302,539 SIGNATURE TRANSFER MECHANISM Robert P. Moffet, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Commerce Clearing House, Inc., Chicago, Iii, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 512,591 3 Claims. (Cl. 9393) The present invention relates generally to a transfer mechanism and more particularly it relates to an improved transfer feed mechanism which is operative to transfer signatures from a first conveying mechanism to a second intermittently operated conveying mechanism wherein means are included to advance the latter mechanism in an operational sequence which is a function of operation of the first mechanism.

During the course of preparing printed sheets, or signatures, for insertion in loose leaf binders, it is necessary to fold the sheets in a particular manner so as to define the desired sequence of printed pages, staple or otherwise afiix a plurality of such sheets together to define the complete unit to be inserted, trim the edges of the completed unit, and then drill holes along the bound side thereof which receive the prongs of the loose leaf binder. In high volume operations this sequence of operations requires that the sheets first be fed to a trimming station after stapling or other binding of the completed signature unit and then transferred to the drilling station. The trimming station in one embodiment, is defined by a machine which trims the three free edges or sides of the bound sheets. Typically, such machine consists of an intermittently operated conveyor mechanism that receives the signatures (or other group of bound sheets) singly and advances them step-wise. At one point of dwell in the operation the free edges of the sheets are trimmed. At another dwell point the top and bottom edges are trimmed. At still another point the signature is positioned at a take-off station for pickup and transfer to the drilling operation. The drilling machine is provided with a conveyor mechanism that also advances the sheets in a step-movement. The signatures, thus, are moved from the receiving end of the conveyor to the point where they are drilled and then they are passed to the discharge station.

To achieve efficient operation, it is important to provid for maximum utilization of the trimming and drilling machines while at the same time providing an apparatus that may accommodate a range of signature thicknesses. The trimming machine is capable of relatively fast operation. The drilling operation, however, is relatively slow but a stack of sheets much thicker than the trimming machine can usually accommodate may be drilled at one time offsetting the otherwise slower processing during drilling.

For this reason it is important to provide a transfer feed mechanism which will transfer the signatures from the trimming machine to the drilling machine and activating the latter after a predetermined number of signatures have been so transferred. In a typical operation, for example, the rate of processing of the signatures through the trimming machine may be about 100 sheets per processing unit (about A inch deep). Three of these 100 sheet units may then be acumulated to form a 300 sheet thick /4 inch deep) pile that is passed as a new unit through the drilling machine. In this embodiment the drilling machine is adapted to cycle once for every three cycles of the trimming machine.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved transfer mechanism.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved transfer feed mechanism for "ice feeding signatures from a first conveyor mechanism operating at a predetermined rate to a second intermittently operated conveyor mechanism.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a transfer feed mechanism that is especially suitable for use in conjunction with standard commercially available trimming and drilling machines adapted for use in processing sheets for insertion in loose leaf binders.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a transfer feed mechanism wherein means are included to cooperate with a second conveyor mechanism to actuate the same through one cycle for each predetermined number of cycles of operation of a first conveyor mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a transfer mechanism of the fore-going type that incorporates a simple, mechanical, stepping mechanism that may be readily adjusted to accommodate any desired accumulation of signature units before the second conveyor mechanism is actuated and is of a rugged, reliable construction that is particularly suitable for practical commercial use.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view, in diagrammatic form, of a system for trimming and drilling signatures wherein a transfer feed mechanism shown is of the type set forth herein;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the transfer feed mechanism;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation view of the transfer feed mechanism;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the transfer feed mechanism;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view from the side of the drive and linkage for oscillating the transfer feed mechanism;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the cams and limit switches for operating the air cylinders of the transfer feed mechanism;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation view illustrating the mechanism. for accumulating signature units and for actuating the drilling machine;

FIGURE 8 is a front elevation view of the trip lever of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic diagram of the circuit for actuating the drilling machine; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary View in perspective of a signature unit which has been trimmed and drilled.

Referring now to the drawings, a system 10 is shown for trimming and drilling holes in bound signatures which includes a trimming machine, indicated generally at 12, and a drilling machine, indicated generally at 14. A transfer feed mechanism 16, constructed in accordance with the present invention, is provided for picking up the signature units from the trimming machine 12 and transferring the same to the drilling machine 14'.

The trimming and drilling machines 12 and 14 per se form no part of the present invention and will consequently be described in somewhat general terms and in such detail as is necessary for a proper understanding of the present invention. It is intended that standard commercially available trimming and drilling machines are to be employed. The trimming machine 12 is of a type which has a conveyor mechanism including the chain belts 18 to advance the respective signatures S in step- .wise fashion from a loading station A, through successive intermediate dwell stations B and C, to a take-off station D.

At the dwell station B, the free sides of the signature units S, that is, the sides opposite the binding or stapling, are trimmed, as indicated by the dashed lines on the signature unit at this station. At the dwell station C, the top and bottom edges of the signature units S are trimmed, as indicated by the dashed lines on the signature unit at this station. The signature units feed mechanism 16 picks them up and transfers them to a loading station E on the drilling machine 14. The signature units S are advanced to the dwell station F where suitable holes are drilling therein before being passed to the discharge station G.

The transfer feed mechanism 16 is shown in detail in FIGURES 2-6. The mechanism consists of a rectangularly-shaped base plate 21 upon which a support 22 is afiixed to the top rear of the plate 21 and a support guide 24 is afiixed to the top front of the plate 21 but somewhat in back of the front edge thereof. The portion extending to the .front of support guide 24 is indicated at 21a. The support guide 24 consists of separate halves 24a and 2411 between which a gripper 26 is pivotably secured by a pin 240, best seen in FIGURES 2 and 4. The gripper 26 includes an arm portion 26a extending in front of the support guide 24 and an upwardly extending flange portion 26b to which a bracket 28 is attached. An air cylinder 30 is attached between the bracket 28 and the rear support 22. Actuation of the cylinder 30 causes the gripper 26 to pivot about the pin 240 to lift the arm 26a upwardly counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURE 2. The gripper arm 26a has a convex configuration on the bottom surface normal to the long axis of the transfer feed mechanism 16 with the portion 21a of the base plate extending in front of the support member 24 having a complementary concave configuration. This curvature causes a fiexure in the signature so as to form a self-supporting unit when the same is engaged and held by gripper arm 26a, as shown in FIGURE 1.

A U-shaped member 32 is slidably attached to the support guide 24 by elongated slots 32a in the respective sides which receive the end portions of the pin 24c therein, respectively. The member 32 serves as a kicker as will hereinafter be described. The kicker 32 is driven in both forward and rearward directions (viewing FIGURE 2) by a second air cylinder 36 attached thereto. The forward motion of the kicker 32 is arrested by a stop 38 (FIGURE 4). The rearward motion is arrested by the end portions of the pin 24c acting as stops against the the ends of the slots 32a as shown in FIGURE 2. The respective air cylinders 30 and 36 are of the conventional type having a pair of intake ports, 30a-30b and 36(1-3611,

to which air lines may be connected, and suitable valve means (not shown), electrically operated, serving to drive the operating pistons forward or backward, and thereby extend or retract the shafts 30c and 360, accordingly.

The transfer feed mechanism 16 rotates about a support vertical shaft 40, FIGURES 2, 3 and 5. The drive and linkage for imparting an oscillating motion to the shaft 40 are shown in FIGURE 5. The shaft 42 is a part of the conveyor system for the trimming machine 12. The shaft 42 may be considered as continuously rotated with the intermittent motion or drive of the trimming machine provided by a suitable clutch and brake machine (not shown). A cam 44 is provided on one end of the shaft 42, as shown. A cam follower 46, aflixed to an S-shaped lever arm 48 rides on the camming surface of the cam 44. The lever arm 48 is pivotably attached at its bottom end by a pin or sha-ft 48a but free to move at its top end. The lever 48, and therefore the cam follower 46, are urged in continuous contact with the camming surface of the cam 44 by a spring 49, shown in diagrammatic form. A linkage 50 is attached between the top of the lever 48 and a bracket 52, securely fastened about the vertical shaft 40. The bracket 52 is coupled to the linkage 50 by a suitable shaft or bolt 54. Thus, as the shaft 42 rotates, the cam 44 imparts a lateral movement to the linkage 50, which is translated into an oscillatory motion for the shaft 40, as indicated by the arrows x and y in FIG- URE 5.

At the opposite end of the continuously rotating shaft 42 of the trimming machine 12, a series of cams 56, 58 and 69 are provided. A pair of cam-operated or limit switches 62 and 64 are positioned adjacent the cams 56 and 58, respectively, having associated roller carns 62a and 64a riding on the caming surfaces thereof, as shown in FIGURE 6. The switches 62 and 64 serve to operate the air cylinders 30 and 36, respectively, with the cams 56 and 58 cut to provide the correct sequence of operation of the switches 62 and 64, as will hereinafter be described.

The cam 60 on the shaft 42 serves to effect operation of the mechanism controlling the accumulation of signature units as well as actuating the drilling machine 14 at the proper time. As seen in FIGURE 7, rotation of the cam 66 effects a rocking movement in the toggle linkage 70, consisting of a first lever 71 and a second lever 72, the latter being pivotably attached at one end to the first lever 71 by a pin or rivet 72a surrounded by a bushing 72b as shown. A cam roller 73 is attached to the other end of the lever 72 and held in contact with the camming surface of the cam 60 by the action of the spring 75, shown in diagrammatic form.

A rack lifting pawl 74 is attached to the lever 71 by a pin or shaft 74a in the manner shown in FIGURE 7. The top portion of the pawl 74 is intended to selectively engage respective rack teeth T provided in a vertical step member 76. The step member 76 is slidably secured by guide pins 76a having head portions overlying the edges of elongated U-shaped slots 76b at the top and bottom thereof. Six successive rack teeth T are shown in the vertical step member 76 intermediate its end although more or less may be provided if desired without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As the cam 60 is rotated by the shaft 42, the camming surface thereof in contact with the cam follower 73 imparts a rocking motion to the linkage 70 which carries the lift pawl upwardly to engage a respective one of the rack teeth T and lift the step member 76 a predetermined distance. A hold pawl 78, pivotably secured by a pin or shaft 780, is spring biased in the clockwise direction (viewing FIGURE 7) whereby a top, forward portion thereof engages a respective one of the rack teeth T and thus hold the step member 76 in a stationary vertical position while the lift pawl 74 disengages the step member on the downward stroke of the linkage 70.

The next rotation of the cam 60 causes the linkage 70 to impart an upward rocking motion to the lift pawl 74 and raise the stepping member 76 another step with the hold pawl 78 operating to again maintain that position. The step member 76 is continued to be raised in step-wise fashion until a point is reached where the top thereof engages the contact arm 80a of a switch 80. The closure of the switch 80 is employed to initiate activation of the drilling machine 12.

The step member 76 is released to return to its initial lowered position by the action of a trip lever 82 attached thereto which engages a release bar 84. The trip lever 82 has a horizontal projection 82a (FIGURE 8) which overlies the bottom edge of the release bar 84 to lift it upwardly and rotate the same clockwise about a pivot pin 84a. The forward edge of the release bar engagesthe hold pawl 78 to rotate it counterclockwise (viewing FIGURE 7) about the pin 78a to a point where a disengagement is effected with the rack teeth of step member 76. The step member 76 is then free to fall to its initial lowered position. A reset arm 86 is provided on the linkage 70 about the pin 72a which, on the downward stroke of the linkage 70, operates to engage the release bar 84 and reset the same, that is, move in a counterclockwise direction to a position out of engagement with the hold pawl 78.

A shiftable stair-like member 88 is provided adjacent the step member 76 to determine the initial vertical location of the step member 76. In the embodiment shown, six steps are provided, although more or less may be included without materially departing from the scope of the invention. An elongated slot 88a is provided in the base through which a mounting bolt may extend and a wing nut 88b threaded on the protruding end to secure the member 88 in any horizontally selected position. Each step of the member 88 corresponds to the spacing between the respective rack teeth T of the step member 76. The number of actuations of the linkage 70 necessary to operate the switch 80 is thus reduced for each step of the member 88 set for the initial position of the step member 76.

As mentioned previously, the closure of the switch 80 by the engagement of the contact arm 80a by the step member 76 activates the drilling machine 14. As seen in FIGURE 9, the momentary closing of the switch 80 effects energization of a control relay 90, from a power source indicated at 92, which relay includes a pair of contacts 90a and 9%. Contacts 90a complete the circuit between the power source 92 and a clutch and brake assembly 94 (shown in block form) for the drilling machine 14. The activation of the assembly 94 effects operation of one complete cycle of operation for the drilling machine 14. At the same time, the operation of the drill machine 14 causes a normally-open switch 96 to close and remain closed during the operation cycle thereof. A holding circuit for the control relay 90 is thus established through relay contacts 9% and the switch 96 which is effectively in parallel with the switch 80 and, when established, holds until one complete operation cycle is effected for the drilling machine before switch 96 is permitted to reopen and break the holding circuit. With the provision of the holding circuit for relay 90 it will be seen that switch 80 need make contact momentarily to initiate operation for the drilling machine.

Practical Operation As the signature units S are passed to the take-off station D of the trimming machine 12, the transfer feed mechanism 16 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (viewing FIGURE 1). The cam 56 operates the limit switch 62 which activates the air cylinder to rotate the gripper arm upwardly. When the transfer mechanism 16 is positioned adjacent the signature at the take-off station D, the air cylinder is again operated to rotate the gripper arm 26 in a downwardly direction whereby the signature is gripped between the arm 26 and the plate section 210, with the curvatures therein flexing the signature into a self-supporting unit for transfer to the drilling machine 14.

The cam 44 effects rotation of the shaft in clockwise direction whereby the signature is swung into alignment with the loading station E of the drilling machine 14. The cam 58 operates to close the switch 64 so as to energize the air cylinder 36. The cylinder 36 moves the U-shaped kicker forward to strike the rear edge of the signature and propel the same from the transfer feed mechanism 16 onto the conveyor system of the drilling machine. This completes one cycle of the trimming machine and therefore advances the step member 76 upwardly one step, as previously described. Successive cycles of the trimming machine 14 are effected in the same manner until the step member 76 reaches the top most position to engage the switch arm 80a. Energization of the switch 80 initiates one cycle of operation of the drilling machine 14 whereby the accumulated signature units S at the loading station E are moved to dwell station F for drilling and subsequent passage to the discharge station G. The position of the stair-like member 88 is set in the desired position whereby the desired number of cycles of the trimming machine 12 is required before the drilling cycle is initiated for the drilling machine 14. In the embodiment shown, six steps are provided in the member 88 and thus up to six cycles may be set for the trimming machine to each cycle of the drilling machine. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is not to be limited to such ratio, and more or less may be provided as desired.

Thus it is seen that as each cycle of the trimming machine is effected, a signature S is picked up from the trimming machine 12 at station D and transferred to the loading station E of the drilling machine. The signature units accumulate at station E until the drill machine is activated by the switch 80, with the number of signature units being determined by the setting of the stair-like member 88.

While only one specific embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it will, of course, be understood that other variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and alternative constructions that fall within their true scope and spirit.

What is claimed is:

1. A transfer feed mechanism for transferring signature units from a first intermittently operated conveyor having a first predetermined period of actuation cycle to a second intermittently operated conveyor having a period of actuation cycle constituting a multiple of said first cycle period, comprising in combination:

a first drive mechanism for said first conveyor including a continuously rotating shaft;

control means operable to actuate said first drive mechanism to advance said first conveyor one cycle for each rotation of said shaft;

transfer mechanism operable in unison with said shaft and effective to transfer signature units singly from said first conveyor to said second conveyor;

a stepping member mounted adjacent said continuously rotating shaft;

pawl means effective to move the stepping member stepwise from a predetermined start position in the amount of one step per rotation of said shaft;

release means operable to restore said stepping membeh to said predetermined start position when the same reaches a predetermined final position;

a second drive mechanism for the second conveyor;

and

means to actuate said second drive mechanism when the stepping member reaches said final position, said means including switch means to initiate said activation of the second drive mechanism upon momentary closure with lock-in elements effective to maintain actuation until the second conveyor advances one complete cycle.

2. A transfer feed mechanism for transferring signature units from a first intermittently operated conveyor having a first predetermined period of actuation cycle to a second intermittently operated conveyor having a period of actuation cycle constituting a multiple of said first cycle period, comprising in combination:

a first drive mechanism for said first conveyor including a continuously rotating shaft;

control means operable to actuate said first drive mechanism to advance said first conveyor one cycle for each rotation of said shaft;

transfer mechanism operable in unison with said shaft and effective to transfer signature units singly from said first conveyor to said second conveyor;

a vertically movable stepping rack member;

a pair of pawls engagable with said rack member, one

of said pawls being effective upon reciprocating movement to engage and lift the rack member upwardly one step at a time from a predetermined initial position for each rotation of said shaft with the other 7 of said pawls being effective to engage and restrain the rack member against downward movement; camming means to impart said reciprocating movement to said one pawl upon each rotation of said shaft;

ment to engage and lift the rack member upwardly one step at a time from a predetermined initial position for each rotation of said shaft with the other of said pawls being effective to engage and restrain release means effective when the rack member reaches the rack member against downward movement;

a predetermined uplifted position to retract said other camming means to impart said reciprocating movement pawl and thereby permit the rack member to fall to to said one pawl upon each rotation of said shaft; said initial lowered position; release means effective when the rack member reaches a second drive mechanism for the second conveyor; a predetermined uplifted position to retract said other and 10 pawl and thereby permit the rack member to fall to means to actuate said second drive mechanism when said initial lowered position;

the stepping member reaches said final position, said a second drive mechanism for the second conveyor; means including switch means to initiate said activameans to actuate said second drive mechanism when tion of the second drive mechanism upon momentary the stepping rack member reaches said predetermined closure with lock-in elements effective to maintain uplifted position, said means including switch means actuation until the second-conveyor advances one complete cycle. 3. A transfer feed mechanism for transferring signato initiate said activation of the second drive mechanism upon momentary closure with lock-in elements effective to maintain actuation until the second conveyor advances one complete cycle; and

selectively adjustable stop means for said stepping rack member to arrest the downward movement thereof and thereby fix the number of steps required to reach said uplifted position to actuate said second conveyor.

ture units from a first intermittently operated conveyor having a first predetermined period of actuating cycle to a second intermittently operated conveyor having a period of actuation cycle constituting a multiple of said first cycle period, comprising in combination:

a first drive mechanism for said first conveyor including a continuously rotating shaft; control means operable to actuate said first drive mecha- References Cited y the Examiner nism to advance said first conveyor one cycle for UNITED STATES PATENTS each rotation of said shaft; transfer mechanism operable in unison with said shaft 1,153,294 9/1915 Dunnebier 93-93 and effective to transfer signature units singly from said first conveyor to said second conveyor;

a vertically movable stepping rack member;

a pair of pawls engagable with said rack member, one

of said pawls being effective upon reciprocating move- EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

E. A. SROKA, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TRANSFER FEED MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING SIGNATURE UNITS FROM A FIRST INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED CONVEYOR HAVING A FIRST PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF ACTUATION CYCLE TO A SECOND INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED CONVEYOR HAVING A PERIOD OF ACTUATION CYCLE CONSTITUTING A MULTIPLE OF SAID FIRST CYCLE PERIOD, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A FIRST DRIVE MECHANISM FOR SAID FIRST CONVEYOR INCLUDING A CONTINUOUSLY ROTATING SHAFT; CONTROL MEANS OPERABLE TO ACTUATE SAID FIRST DRIVE MECHANISM TO ADVANCE SAID FIRST CONVEYOR ONE CYCLE FOR EACH ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT; TRANSFER MECHANISM OPERABLE IN UNISON WITH SAID SHAFT AND EFFECTIVE TO TRANSFER SIGNATURE UNITS SINGLY FROM SAID FIRST CONVEYOR TO SAID SECOND CONVEYOR; A STEPPING MEMBER MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID CONTINUOUSLY ROTATING SHAFT; PAWL MEANS EFFECTIVE TO MOVE THE STEPPING MEMBER STEPWISE FROM A PREDETERMINED START POSITION IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE STEP PER ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT; RELEASE MEANS OPERABLE TO RESTORE SAID STEPPING MEMBEH TO SAID PREDETERMINED FINAL POSITION; SAME REACHES A PREDETERMINED FINAL POSITION; A SECOND DRIVE MECHANISM FOR THE SECOND CONVEYOR; AND MEANS TO ACTUATE SAID SECOND DRIVE MECHANISM WHEN THE STEPPING MEMBER REACHES SAID FINAL POSITION, SAID MEANS INCLUDING SWITCH MEANS TO INITATE SAID ACTIVATION OF THE SECOND DRIVE MECHANISM UPON MOMENTARY CLOSURE WITH LOCK-IN ELEMENTS EFFECTIVE TO MAINTAIN ACTUATION UNTIL THE SECOND CONVEYOR ADVANCES ONE COMPLETE CYCLE. 